Massage appliance



Oct. 25, 1932. w. v. oRR

MASSAGE APPLIANCE 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 16. 1930 wim. mM.

K l I Illllrni Ill .IIS

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Oct. 25, 1932. w. v. @RR 1,884,161

MASSAGE APPLIANCE Filed May 16, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Arron/V516 W. V. ORR

MASSAGE APPLIANCE Oct. 25, 1932.

Filed May 16, 1950 '5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented ct. 25, 1932 Yunirsi). STATES PATENT OFFICE.;

WILLIAM V. OBR, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO; THE CLEVELAND TR-UST COMIKAIY ADELE MARY v.EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE Fy SAID WILLIAM V. ORR,

DECEASED MASSAGE APPLIANCE Application led May 16, 1930. Serial No. 453,013.

The invention relates to apparatus employed for mechanically massaging, rubbing, orjlrneading body part-s, and more particularly body parts in the region of the spine; but the apparatus may be also used for massaging any or all desired areas of the body.

Prior devices have been constructed in Which movement is imparted to the applicator, for moving the same longitudinally of the body part being massaged; devices have also been constructed for imparting a. vibratory massaging movement to the body part being massaged; and prior devices have been constructed in which a reciprocatory movement is imparted to the applicator kwhich is normal to the body part being massaged.

Onegot the objects ofthe present invention is to provide an appliance for massaging body parts through the medium'of anv applicator which reciprocates transversely of the body part being massaged; or in which the applicator may have imparted thereto a pendulum-lilre rotary reciprocatory movement.

It is most desirable that massage appliances of this character be adjustable as to rate of movement of the applicator because the proper massaging of a bodypart such as a calf muscle may preferably require a slowspeed massaging, While the'massaging of the spine may require a faster speed massaging movement. Moreover, it is frequently necessary to begin a massagingtreatment by'imparting iirst aslow massagingmoveinent and then later increasing the speed of the massaging movement. y n

VIt is therefore another object of the present invention to provide forV imparting a transverse or rotary reciprocatory movement to a massaging applicator for diiferent speeds,

i. e'. to provide a reciprocating applicator member having an adjustable stroke preferably of from one-half inch to two inches more or less'.

` A'further object of the presentinvention is to provide an apparatus'of this character which may be held in the hand of an operator and moved over the are-a to be treated, during which time direct pressure may be applied to .pr-i thereciprocating applicator toward the body part being treated.

And iinally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a massaging appliance construction having a novel, el'licient and simple design consisting of a small number of parts which may be readily and easily operated, and which may be adjusted as to length oi'' stroke by the most inexperienced person.

These and other objects may be obtained by providing a construction, preferred embodiments of which are hereinafter set erth in detail, which may be stated in general terms as including a handle grip casing', av crosshead applicator mounting bar mounted for movement in the casing, an adjustable crank pin mounted in the casing, means for adjusting the throw of the crank pin, means for imparting rotary movement to the crank pin, an applicator member mounted for movement by the crosshead bar and anti-friction means mounting the various movable parts.

Preferred embodiments of the improved massaging appliance are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which Figure l is a longitudinal sectional View through the improved appliance taken on the line 1 1, Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 isa top plan view of the appliance, a portion of the gear case ycap being broken away-to show certain parts of the crank pin adjusting mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the appliance taken on the line 3,3, Fig. 2;

Fig. i is a transverse section through the appliance taken on the line fie-4, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the appliance taken on the line 55, Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modiied form of applicator adapted for rotary reciprocatory movement;

-F ig. 7 is a perspective view of the cross-- head applicator mounting bar;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the applicator mounting catch pin;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the applicator mounting catch pin spring;

Fig. 1 0 is a perspective view of the applicator mounting catch pin set screw;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the bevel gear utilized in the appliance;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the adjustable crank pin mounting plate;

Fig. 13 is a transverse section through the crank pin mounting plate taken on the line 13-13, Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the crank pin member;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the crank mounted the cross head applicator mounting bar 22, and the casing members 2O and 21 may be preferably held together by screws 23.

A drive shaft 24 is preferably j ournaled in a ball bearing 25 at one end of the casing member 21, and the drive shaft 24 may be operatively connected to any suitable source of power preferably through the medium of a flexible drive shaft (not shown).

A bevel pinion 26 is mounted at one end of the drive shaft 24 within the gear case 27, formed by the casing members 20 and 21 and the bevel pinion 26 meshes with the bevel gear 23 journaled by a ball bearing 29 on the casing member 21 within the gear case 27.

The bevel gear 23 has preferably mounted thereon, the adjustable crank pin mounting plate 30, shown in Fig. 12, and the bevelgear and, mounting plate may be preferably detachably connected together by screws 31.

The crank pin mount-ing plate 30 has a deep groove 32 provided in its upper face, there being a notch 33 extending through the plate 3() at one end of the deep groove 32.

A cross groove 34 is also provided in the upper face of the mounting plate 30 eX- tending preferably at right angles to the deep groove 32, there being overhanging retaining flanges provided at 35 for the cross groove 34.

The crank pin adjusting member 36, shown in Fig. 15, is slidably mounted in the deep groove 32 of the mounting plate 30, and the crank pin adjusting member 36 has a notch 37 provided at one end thereof similar to the notch 33, a finger lug 33 extending from the upper surface thereof adjacent the other end, and a catch lug 39 projecting from the upper surface thereof adjacent the notch 37, all for a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

The crank pin member 40 is slidably mounted in the cross groove 34 of the mounting plate 30 and is retained within the groove by the retaining flanges 35 as well shown in Fig. 5. Moreover, the lower surface of the crank pin member 40 bears against the upper surface of the crank pin adjusting member 36 to retain the adjusting member slidably within the deep groove 32.

One edge portion 41 of the crank pin member 4() is provided with a series of notches 42 for a purpose which will be hereinafter described, and the crank pin 43 projects upwardly from the upper surface of the crank pin member 40.

The crank pin 43 is provided with a bearing collar 44, and the crank pin 43 and'collar 44 extend upward within the transverse slot 45 provided in the crosshead end 46 of the crossiead applicator mounting bar 22, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The applicator mounting bar22 which is slidably mounted in the lower casing member 21, is provided with a series of grooves 47 for receiving ball bearings 48 providing antifriction mounting means for the bar 22.

One end of the applicator mounting bar 22 has a lug 49 projecting downwardly therefrom, and the lower edge 50 of the lugv 49 is rounded as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The forward edge of the lug 49 has a rib 51 projecting therefrom while a notch 52 is provided in the rear edge of the lug. A ball applicator 53 formed preferably of rubber or other resilient material is mounted on the lug 49 for contact with the body parts to be massaged.

ln order that different sizes and shapes of applicators may be carried by the lug 49, the applicator member 53 is detachably mounted on the lug by providing the applicator mounting catch pin 54 having a push end 55. The pin 54 is spring pressed by the applicator mounting catch pin spring 56 and is held in assembled relation with the applicator 53 by the applicator mounting catch pin set screw 57.

Vs7hen the applicator mounting parts are assembled in the positio-n shown in the drawings, the body portion 58 of the applicator mounting catch pin engages the notch 52 of the lug 49 which is extended within the opening 59 provided in the applicator 53. At the same time the rib 51 is engaged in the recess 60 provided in the inner wall of the applicator 53.

Sufficient clearance 61 is provided between the lower edge 50 of the lug 49 andthe bottom of the recess 59 to permitY a free resilient action of the rubber applicator 53 when the sameis being used for massaging body parts and the like.

'When it may be desired to change the applicater 5.3, the push end thereof may be pressedinwardly so that the groove 62 provided in the applicator mounting catch pin 54 is in alignment with the inner edge 63I of the lug 49, whereupon the rib 51 may be removed from engagement with the recess and the applicator 53 may thereupon be disengaged from the lug 49. i

, bled position as shownpin'Fi'g. l, at which time Ther catch pin 54 is rounded at 64, in o rder that the applicator may be readily attached to the lug 49 by simply inserting ythe lug 49 into the opening 59, whereuponthe cam surface 65 of the lug 49 operating on the rounded surface 64 moves the catch pin so "thatthe slot 62 is in alignment with they-lug' 49, permitting the applicator 53 to be placed in assemthe applicator mounting catch 'pin 54 snaps into position so as to retain the applicator' 53 on the lug 49. A

The upper casing member is preferably provided with an integral handle 66 which may be grasped by the operator to press the applicator 53 against the body part being massaged. A roller 67 is journaledat 68 in the upper casing member 20 and rides in the longitudinal slot 69 provided in the reduced portion 70 of the applicator mounting bar, for receiving the upward thrust of the applicator on the end of the applicator mounting bar when the applicator 53 is pressedk downwardly against the body part.

The operation of the massage appliance is as follows: c

The appliance lmay be grasped preferably by twohands of an operator, one hand grasping the casing formed by the members 2O and 21 intermediate its ends, and the other hand holding the handle 66 to press the applicator 53 against the body part to be massaged. Meanwhile, rotation of the drive shaft 24 and pinion 26 carried thereby causes rotation of the bevel gear 28.` Accordingly, the mounting plate 3() carried by the gear, and the crank pin adjusting member 36 and crank pin member 40 carried by the mounting plate 30 are rotated with the bevel gear, whereupon the crank pin 43 extending into the transverse slot 45 of the crosshead 46 causes reciprocation of the applicator mounting bar 22 and applicator 53 carried thereby.

Accordingly a massaging orrubbing movement is transmitted to the body part being portion 41 of the crank pin member 40 to hold L the member 40 in adjusted position.

The catchv lug 39 is maintained in engagement with one of the ynotches 42 by the U- spring 71 carried by the lug 72 extending up- Y wardly from the upper surface of the bevel 5 gear 28 through the notches 33 and 37 provided respectively in the `mounting plate 30 and crank pin adjusting member 36.

When it may be desired to adjust the throw of the crank pin 43, the gear case cover plate 73 may be opened on its hinge 74, whereupon the linger lug 38 maybe grasped by the hand of the operator to slide the crank pin adjusting member 36 against'the pressureof the U-spring 7l for disengaging theI connection between the catch lug 39 and one of the ynotches 42 of the crank pin member- 40.

' .lhe crank -Y pin member 40 may then be adjusted along the groove 34 so that the catch lug 39 engages one of the other notches 42 of thev crank pin member in order to change the throw of the crank pin. The gear case cover'73 maythen'be closed and held in closed position by its spring clip 75. "l "The driveshaft 24 may then be rotated to' cause reciprocation of the applicator 53'whose stroke is now changed becauseof the change of'throw of the crank pin 43 just'described. Avmodified formofapplicator is shown in Fig. 6 in whichthe upper and lower casing members 20 and 21` enclose the applicator mounting bar 22', and the applicator mounting bar is connected bythe` pin 7 6.with the elongated .slot 77 provided in the applicator mounting member 78 pivotally mounted Aat 79 on the upper casing member 20.

The handle 66 may be provided on the upper casing member 20 while the rubber applicator 53 may be mounted on the lower end of the applicator mountingmember 7,8.` l .The applicator mounting` bar 22 may be reciprocated by the'adjustable stroke reciprocating means shown in the other figures of the drawings. In the ymodifiedform of device shown invFig. 6, the applicator has a pendulum-like. rotary reciprocatory movement.

n l. AA massage appliance including acasing, an applicator mountingbar mounted forreciprocating movement iny the casing, means for reciprocating the bar `includinga crank pin mounting membergthere being a deep groove in said member, there being la cross groove in said member located at right angles to said deep groove, acrank pin adjusting member slidably located in the deep groove, a cra-nk pinl member located in `said cross groove, means for. holding the crank pin member in any one ot a plurality otadjusted pofor reciprocating. the bar includinga crank piny mounting member, there being a deep groove 1n said member, there being a cross groove, in said memberlocated -at right angles to said ldeep groove, a crank pin adjusting member provided with a catchslidably located in the deep groove, ay crank pin member provided with ay plurality of notches located in said crossgroove,saidl crank pin membery engagingl the bar, spring means holding the catch inengagement with one of said notches, means for rotating said members, and an .applicator mounted on the bar.

3, A massage appliance including a casing, an applicator mounting bar mounted for reciprocating movement inthe casing,means for reciprocating the bar including a crank pin mounting member, there being a deep groove in said member, there being across groove in said member located at right angles to said deep groove, a crank pin adjusting vmember provided With a catch slidably located in the deep groove, a crank pin member provided with a lplurality of notches located insaid cross groove, said crank pin memberengaging thebar, spring meanslioldingthe catch in engagement With one of said notches, means for rotating said members, and an applicator detachablymounted on the bar.

4. A massage appliance including a casing, an applicator mounting bar mounted Within the casing for reciprocating movement therein and having an angular portion extendingoutside ofthe casing, a crankpin rotatably mounted Within the casing and engaging the bar, means for rotating-the crank pin, means for adjusting the throw of the crank pin, and an applicator mounted onfthe angular portion of the bar.

5. A massage appliance including a casing, an applicator mounting bar mounted within the casing for reciprocating movement therein, a crank pin rotatably mounted Within the casing and engaging the bar, means for rotating the crank pin, meanslfor adjusting the throw of the crank pin, an applicator mounted on the bar, and roller means mounted in the casing and engaging the'bar opposite the applicator 'for taking thrust imposed upon the applicator.

V`6. A massage appliance including a casing, an applicator mounting bar mounted Within the casing for reciprocating movement therein, a crank pin engaging the bar mounted for rotary movement Within the casing, means for rotating the crank pin, means for adjusting the throw of the crank pin, a lug projecting angularly from the bar outside of the casing, an applicator, and a spring pressed catch detachably connecting the applicator to the lug.

7. A massage appliance including'a casing, anapplicator mounting bar mounted Within the casing for reciprocating movement therein, a crank pin'engaging the bar mounted `:for rotary movement Within the casing, means for rotating the crank pin, means for adjusting the throw of the crank pin, an applicator, a catch pin movably mounted lin the applicator, and spring means normally urging the catch pin into locking engagement With the bar.

'8. -vA massage appliance including a casing,'an applicator mounting bar mounted Withinrthe casing for reciprocating Inove- WILLIAM V. ORB. 

